PRETORIA (March 17, 2026) – The Professional Fighters League today announced the complete fight card for the PFL Africa Season 2 First Round, set for Friday, April 10, 2026, live from the SunBet Arena in Pretoria, South Africa. The event marks the official launch of PFL Africa Season 2 and continues the league’s mission to spotlight Africa’s top mixed martial arts talent on a global stage.
Headlining the card will be a Bantamweight Showcase Bout between 2025 PFL Africa Bantamweight Champion Nkosi “King” Ndebele (11-3) and Italy’s Michele “The Arrow” Clemente (7-1). Ndebele enters the bout competing in front of a home crowd and looking to extend his unbeaten record in PFL competition following his championship-winning performance in the 2025 Finals. Clemente arrives on a five-fight winning streak and brings a technical striking and grappling approach into the matchup. The contest places championship experience against a rising international challenger to open Season 2.
In the Co-Main Event, South Africa’s Justin Clarke (4-1) faces Senegal’s Abdoulaye Kane (5-1) in a Heavyweight Showcase Bout. Clarke returns after reaching the 2025 PFL Africa Heavyweight Final and will look to re-establish himself in front of the Pretoria crowd. Kane enters the bout on a two-fight knockout streak and has finished all of his professional victories. With neither fighter having gone to a decision, the matchup is expected to produce a decisive outcome.
In a Welterweight Tournament First Round bout, 2025 PFL Africa Welterweight Champion Yabna N’Tchala (14-2, 1 NC) takes on South Africa’s Peace Nguphane (8-3). N’Tchala begins his campaign pursuing a second PFL Africa title, while Nguphane enters on a four-fight winning streak and will be competing on home soil. Both fighters bring strong grappling backgrounds into the contest, making the bout a pivotal opening matchup in the tournament bracket.
Angola’s Shido Boris Esperança (11-2) meets Cameroon’s Emilios Dassi (5-2) in another Welterweight Tournament First Round contest. Esperança reached the finals of last season’s tournament and returns seeking to move past that result, while Dassi enters with a reputation for power and finishing ability. Both fighters previously lost to the eventual champion, adding further significance to a matchup that could shape the division moving forward.
Kicking off the main card, Eliezer Kubanza (8-1) of the Democratic Republic of the Congo goes up against Nigeria’s Kunle Lawal (3-1) in a Welterweight Tournament First Round matchup. Kubanza is known for his knockout power, having finished the majority of his professional victories. Lawal, meanwhile, brings a wrestling-based approach and will look to extend the fight and control the pace. The matchup presents a clear stylistic contrast as both fighters aim to advance in the tournament.
Also on the card, Juliet Ukah (8-0) puts her unbeaten record on the line against fellow Nigerian Jane Osigwe (5-3) in a Women’s Strawweight showcase bout. Ukah’s measured, technical approach meets Osigwe’s aggressive pace in an intriguing matchup.
PFL Africa First Round Card:
SunBet Arena, Pretoria, South Africa
SuperSport (Africa – English) | Canal+ (Africa – French) | PFL App (U.S.)
Bantamweight Showcase Main Event: Nkosi Ndebele (11-3) vs. Michele Clemente (7-1)
Heavyweight Showcase Co-Main Event: Justin Clarke (4-1) vs. Abdoulaye Kane (5-1)
Welterweight Tournament First Round: Yabna N’Tchala (14-2, 1 NC) vs. Peace Nguphane (8-3)
Welterweight Tournament First Round: Shido Boris Esperança (11-2) vs. Emilios Dassi (5-2)
Welterweight Tournament First Round: Eliezer Kubanza (8-1) vs. Kunle Lawal (3-1)
Women’s Strawweight Showcase: Juliet Ukah (8-0) vs. Jane Osigwe (5-3)
Welterweight Tournament First Round: Abdelrahman Mohammad (5-0) vs. David Samuel (4-0)
Lightweight Showcase: Abdoul Razac Sankara (7-5) vs. Áureo Cruz (3-0)
Featherweight Showcase: Jean-Jacques Lubaya (9-2) vs. Shadrack Dju Yemba (5-1)
Bantamweight Showcase: Shannon van Tonder (7-3) vs. Asiashu Tshitamba (6-5)
Women’s Strawweight Showcase: Felista-Mutheu Mugo (5-2-1) vs. Annet Kiiza (3-1)
